Cricket Southern Bayside: Carnegie appoints Mark Grenville as coach

Carnegie has had key arrivals and a notable departure in the off-season, with a former first-class player appointed non-playing coach for the 2024-25 Cricket Southern Bayside season.

Saumil Patel bowls for Carnegie last season. He will be in blue and gold again in 20024-25. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Changes at Carnegie...

The club has a new coach, appointing former West Indian first-class player Mark Grenville to a non-playing role.

But there’s also been a big “out’’ at the Neggie, with captain and star batter-keeper Ashish Harsolia moving on (possibly to Murrumbeena, which steps up to CSB Championship Division).

“I think he’s got a few friends there,’’ Carnegie president Stuart Easton said.

“I suppose he wants to challenge himself...he’s moved on so there’s a few more gaps for us to fill.’’

Harsolia made 604 runs at 60.4 last season, following a 521-run season in 2022-23.

Mark Grenville is Carnegie’s new coach. Picture: Facebook

Grenville, 61, played for Guyana against some of the game’s greatest, including Sir Viv Richards, Richie Richardson and Curtly Ambrose.

Now he’s landed at Carnegie in Cricket Southern Bayside Division 1 as a non-playing head coach.

Easton said Grenville was a stand-out candidate.

“We had four people apply, we interviewed a couple and found that Mark answered all our questions and answered questions we didn’t even ask and we felt comfortable working with him,’’ he said.

“Obviously he’s very experienced, played a high level of cricket and has been a coach for 30 plus years, so he’s got a wealth of knowledge and experience. He wants to help and share his knowledge and thirst for cricket with everyone which is great.’’

Grenville is currently in Guyana but will return next month.

Tatsat Brahmbhatt.

Ashish Harsolia.

Carnegie has confirmed opening bowler Tatsat Brambhatt has committed to a ninth year at the club, while star all-rounder Saumil Patel is also back for season 2024-25.

In other news at Carnegie, Liam Corbett returns for ‘24-25 in an assistant coaching role and Lex Middag returns as the club’s new junior head coach.

Carnegie’s seconds tied with Bayside in the Division 3 grand final last season, and Easton says there will be opportunities for players throughout the grades to step up to the first XI.